Who Is This For?
Best For:
Messianic Jews, Hebrew Roots movement, those studying Jewish context of Christianity.
Not Ideal For:
General readers unfamiliar with Hebrew, traditional Christian worship, or Orthodox Jewish readers.
Strengths & Limitations
✓ Strengths of the OJB
- Emphasizes Scripture's Jewish context
- Hebrew terminology preserved
- Helpful for Messianic study
- Both Testaments included
- Unique perspective on familiar texts
✗ Limitations to Consider
- Heavy Hebrew/Yiddish vocabulary challenging
- Difficult for unfamiliar readers
- Not accepted by Orthodox Judaism
- May alienate some Christian readers
- Limited mainstream acceptance
Overview
The Orthodox Jewish Bible uses Hebrew and Yiddish terminology extensively throughout both Testaments, presenting Scripture in a way that honors its Jewish context and helps readers appreciate the Jewishness of biblical faith.
Want to read the OJB Bible online? Use our Bible search tool to find any verse, or start reading from Genesis.
Notable Features of the OJB
- Extensive Hebrew/Yiddish terminology
- Emphasizes Jewish context
- Includes both Testaments
- Messianic Jewish perspective
- Unique vocabulary approach
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Orthodox Jewish Bible?
The Orthodox Jewish Bible uses Hebrew and Yiddish terminology extensively throughout both Testaments, presenting Scripture in a way that honors its Jewish context and helps readers appreciate the Jewishness of biblical faith.
How can I read the OJB Bible online?
You can read and search the Orthodox Jewish Bible online for free at Acts1 Family. Use our Bible search tool to find any verse, chapter, or keyword in the OJB translation.
When was the OJB Bible published?
The Orthodox Jewish Bible was first published in 2002. It is classified as a Paraphrase translation with a 10th Grade reading level.
Who should use the OJB Bible?
Messianic Jews, Hebrew Roots movement, those studying Jewish context of Christianity.
How does the OJB compare to other Bible translations?
The Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB) is a Paraphrase translation. Compare it with other versions like the KJV, ASV, or NIV using our Bible comparison tools to find the best translation for your needs.
Read the OJB Online
Search any verse, compare with other translations, or start reading from Genesis.
Start ReadingHistory
Complete History of the OJB Translation
Phillip Goble created the Orthodox Jewish Bible to help readers - both Jewish and Christian - appreciate the deeply Jewish character of the biblical text. The translation uses terms like 'Moshiach' (Messiah), 'Rebbe' (Teacher), 'Hashem' (the Name, for God), and many other Hebrew and Yiddish words.
The OJB includes both the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and the New Testament (Brit Chadasha), presenting the New Testament in a way that emphasizes its Jewish origins and the Jewishness of Jesus (Yehoshua) and his early followers.
Translators
Meet the 1 Key Translators and Contributors
Phillip Goble
Translator
Messianic Jewish scholar who created the OJB to highlight Scripture's Jewish context.
Textual Basis
Manuscript Sources and Translation Methodology
Based on standard Hebrew (Masoretic Text) and Greek texts, with distinctive vocabulary choices.
Reception
Scholarly Praise
"The OJB presents the complete Bible with extensive transliteration of Hebrew terms, designed to give readers a sense of the Hebraic roots of the text and Messianic Jewish perspective."
— Artists for Israel, Orthodox Jewish Bible (2024) [source]
Scholarly Concerns
The extensive use of Yiddish and Hebrew transliterations can make the text difficult for readers unfamiliar with these terms, creating a steep learning curve.
— Bible Translation Discussion, Orthodox Jewish Bible Review (2024) [source]
Revision History
View 1 Major Revisions and Updates
- 2002 Initial publication.
Compare Translations
See how the OJB compares to other English Bible translations.
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